How to Host an Eco-Friendly Wedding
/When we think of being environmentally conscious, we often overlook events and their impacts on the planet. After all, a wedding is just one day. How much can it add to the total carbon waste globally? Well, as it turns out, a ton! More like 63 tons per wedding, to be exact. As it happens, wedding are a huge environmental burden to the planet. From the rings to the food, from transportation to garbage - it all adds up.
In honor of Earth Month, I am releasing this information so that you can make more informed decisions about your wedding. I do not expect anyone to change everything about their wedding or do every recommend bullet point, but I do hope a few of these tips can be put into practice at your upcoming event to help lighten the load the planet has to bear.
The same principles we grew up hearing can be applied to weddings: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. I’m going to add one more: Refrain - you may not need all that you think you do.
Recycled paper and plastic products
If you feel that you need disposable bar cups for water, mixed drinks, and beer, buy recycled material cups. Recycling presents it own set of issues these days , between using fossil fuels to operate the recycling facilities to most of it ending up in landfills or oceans, so I recommend that whenever possible, you try to use biodegradable or compostable materials and refrain from using single-use products altogether, even when they are recyclable.
Thrift it and rent it!
When it comes to wedding decor, I know the temptation to head on over to Amazon.com and start filling your cart with signs, table-toppers, linens, chairs covers, plates, etc. Hold up! There are so many second-hand stores that might have just what you are looking for. You may need to use a bit of patience in order to find the right items, but in the end it will pay off. Also consider making a social media post listing the items you need. You’d be surprised at how many people keep their old wedding decor and craft materials.
Don’t forget to contact your local wedding planners, stylists, and event rental companies to see if they offer what you are looking for so that you don’t have to buy it unless you have no other options. If you do end up having to purchase items, consider offering to sell them to rental companies or wedding planners, florists, etc when you are done with them. They may want to expand their inventory. And don’t forget to look into vintage rentals!
Resale shopping ideas:
Thrift stores
Online Facebook markets
Ebay
Craigslist
Flea Markets
Yard sales
Be creative
Thinking outside the box and thinking of ways to make your wedding unique will greatly benefit you while planning an eco-friendly wedding and, as an added bonus, you’ll save some bucks, if you know what you're doing. You will really need to examine how budget-friendly DIY is compared to having someone else do it. Oftentimes, the price to do it yourself can be just as much, if not more, than hiring or renting from the professionals. DIY decor will, no doubt, add to your to-do list. So if you are thinking of doing it all yourself, make sure you give yourself ample time to complete all of your Pinterest projects. When creating your own decor, be sure to try and source second-hand and up-cycled products as mentioned above in #2.
Some DIY items that are easy to get your hands on include:
Bottles and cans than you can paint and decorate with
Mixed-matched china and glassware can be rented or bought at thrift stores
Fabric is cheap at second-hand stores and can be great for making napkins, tables runners, streamers, chair covers, etc.
Plate charges end up in all thrift stores and you can probably find as many as you need after a few trips.
Serving dishes like silver and glass as easy to find and you can donate or resell
Vases
Candles, tea lights, and holders
Party games
Local first!
To lower the emissions from transporting goods, try to keep it local. This includes local farms for produce and local florists and flower farms. This could also include the local vendor’s rentals as we discussed above. Make sure you let your caterer know that local, organic produce and meats is important to you.
Flowers and greenery
Consider potted flowers, herbs, succulents, and cactus that can be planted in pots which you can decorate your tables with. You and your guests could take them home afterwards as a bonus gift! If you are leaning towards cut flowers to decorate with or to use in your bouquets, be sure to ask your local florist if they have locally grown and in-season options. Keeping it in season will cut down on the transportation it would require to get the flowers to your wedding venue. While I do LOVE live blooms, check out these non-floral bouquet options to spark some creativity.If you opt for live flowers from your local florist consider donating the blooms afterwards to local nursing homes and hospitals.
Favors
When it comes to wedding favors for your guests, avoid plastic bags and junk items that will be tossed out. Think of trees/saplings, bird seed, flower seed, locally made items that can serve a purpose for your guests and the planet. Instead of bubbles or sparklers for your exit, consider having your guests throw flower seeds or dried flowers.
Transportation
Everything at a wedding requires transportation. From your food to your out-of-town guests. All things considered, you might try shortening that guest list to help lower emissions from plane and truck travel/transport. A smaller guest list also will help reduce waste from food and garbage.
A few other things to keep in mind:
Lighting- Try to lower light use by using solar or candles.
Venue- See if any venues in your area are powered by alternative energy
Clothing - Avoid fast fashion. Try vintage and locally made
Rings- No mined diamonds (bad for the environment and the people mining them). Try vintage, other stone alternatives, wood for bands.
Invites and Wedding Suits - no glossy paper, recycled, local
Gifts- Ask for gift cards or donations instead of wrapped gifts
Resources:
Can you think of more ways to help reduce the environmental impact of weddings? Please list them in the comments below!
(Sources: huffingtonpost.com, The World Bank, botanicalpaperworks)
